Healing gastritis naturally

[Mandymoos8]

I have pernicious anemia (managed by self injecting b12), celiac disease (managed by gluten free diet) low iron (managed by recent transfusion) and to add insult to injury last endoscopy showed gastritis caused by pernicious anemia. I have a blocked ear - feels like pressure and see there is a link between this and reflux and a post nasal drip, worse at nights lying down. I have silent reflux in that I feel it but don’t have the typical acid heart burn pain. I would prefer not to go down the ppi route but trying to heal gut naturally with good gut health food and probiotics. There’s mixed responses with lime or lemon juice diluted. It I am trying this.

The thing that has frightened me several times is laying down at night and having sudden whoosh to my heart with palpitations and some twinges in my chest thereafter. I then feel anxious and can’t sleep. Dr has put it down to reflux but it is making me so anxious. I am worried by healing the natural way I will do more damage and day by day seem to have a new symptom, this week I have felt dizzy and weak and just off. Kind of out of it and disassociated. (Weakness in arms and general fatigue I have had for a few years now since pernicious anemia diagnoses in 2018)

Would anyone be kind enough to offer suggestions or views on natural gut healing and taking lime or lemon juice diluted or straight before meals etc. i have done a fair bit of research but I like to talk to the experts so to speak - the people experiencing it!

I feel I get one step forward and six back and it’s affecting my daily life, mood and work.

thank you kind people ! X 🙏

[hjskev]

Hi First I must say I have no medical knowledge whatsoever so this is just about the way I deal with silent reflux. I haven't got all the other conditions that you have. I think my gastric problems came about as a result of having to take a lot of antibiotics at one time. I took ppi prescribed by the doctor for about 18 months and it did seem to calm everything down. But then I began to think that ppi wasn't curing anything just controlling it really. So I stopped taking them and started to improve my gut health. Now I eat high fibre carbs I try to eat fermented foods like Greek yogurt kefir and kombucha. I still take Gaviscon Advance before bed and try to sleep with my head raised. I can't say I've totally got rid of the reflux but it has improved a lot. I find it scary when it's bad and that's the viscous circle I think because anxiety can make it worse.

I'm not sure about lime juice. I don't think I could stomach the acid. I can't drink wine anymore because of the acid which is annoying. I try to stay off foods that are too acidy. Natural yoghurt is a good antidote and so is cheese. I can recommend improving good gut bacteria so it's worth a try but you still need expert advice.

[Mandymoos8 in reply to hjskev]

thank you so much for your reply. I meant to have replied at the time you sent it. I took your advice and began drinking kombucha drinks daily (can’t take kefir as dairy intolerant) and found some good dairy free yoghurt and introduced fresh ginger and lemon tea. I don’t really deem Gp’s experts as in my experience they just want you to swallow the pills. I feel people who do the research and put the work in and get results are the real experts! I’ve decided however to take the omeprazole however for two weeks while it allows the stomach to settle and continue with the diet of fresh veg, fruit and high fibre carbs etc and then stop taking them. Thank you again for taking the time to reply and all the best! X

[PaintLadie]

I was just recently diagnosed also...from my reading. Do not include acids like lemon juice until you've somewhat healed the stomach lining. I read cabbage and broccoli are best for this as well as high fiber foods with meals as they help protect the lining of the stomach when eating. Also nutrient dense foods because we will have a harder time up-taking vitamins. The extra acid will just burn the raw lining. Also intermittent fasting will give the stomach time to heal. Once the lining is healed; I'm guessing we will know by how we feel.... I think is when it is safe to start increasing our stomach acid. This is just the consensus of what I've read online.

[Mandymoos8 in reply to PaintLadie]

Thank you so much for replying; that makes a lot of sense re waiting a while while the stomach lining heals. So much conflicting views but I guess we all tolerate / heal differently. I’m drinking kombucha drinks daily (would take kefir also but dairy intolerant), make ginger tea from fresh ginger and lemon and do eat a lot of fresh fruit such as berries with live yoghurt (dairy free but any is good for our stomach status)! Also take a good pre and probiotic to feed the good bacteria which we have lost. Having to think before every bite of food or drink and miss out on sharing food I used to love is dull but it’s worth it if it works. Have lost almost a stone in weight so … every cloud etc! Thank you again and good luck with your journey ! X